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Heidegger's Method: Philosophical Concepts as Formal Indications Author(s): Daniel O. Dahlstrom Source: The Review of Metaphysics, Vol. 47, No. 4 (Jun., 1994), pp. 775-795 Published by: Philosophy Education Society Inc. Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20129578 . Accessed: 10/03/2011 15:37 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of JSTOR's Terms and Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp. JSTOR's Terms and Conditions of Use provides, in part, that unless you have obtained prior permission, you may not download an entire issue of a journal or multiple copies of articles, and you may use content in the JSTOR archive only for your personal, non-commercial use. Please contact the publisher regarding any further use of this work. Publisher contact information may be obtained at . http://www.jstor.org/action/showPublisher?publisherCode=pes. . Each copy of any part of a JSTOR transmission must contain the same copyright notice that appears on the screen or printed page of such transmission. JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. Philosophy Education Society Inc. is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to The Review of Metaphysics. http://www.jstor.org HEIDEGGER'S METHOD: PHILOSOPHICAL CONCEPTS AS FORMAL INDICATIONS DANIEL O. DAHLSTROM To give them as much credit as possible, words possess only sufficient efficacy to remind us in order that we may seek things, but not to exhibit the things that we know by them. Augustine, I_n may 1929, after rejecting to feel be expected Protestant suggestion "threatened" Christians contemporary criticisms, by Kierkegaard's remarks: Kuhlmann Gerhardt theologian that the De magistro.1 the is terrified instead about the fact But present-day perhaps Christianity of its theology put out as revelation, that everything that the spokesmen of to the original Christian and reformational understanding according devoid of mythologizing, the term, has been set forth by a philosopher that is to say, exactly and profanely.2 One of the whether Heidegger mann purge suggests, mythological launched against of appropriation what an he atheistic the by of existence Kierkegaard's Kuhlmann's element.3 is paper following in fact, as Kuhl does raised ultimately in his analysis questions thought remark as regards existential or theological of a broader salvo of every is part naive contemporaries' that reduces the analysis his 1 tan "Hactenus verba valuerunt, quibus ut plurimum tribuam, admonent non ut S. exhibent tum ut quaeremus res, Operum, Augustini noverimus"; the Latinae Tomus 32 (Paris: Migne, 1841), 1215; Concerning Patrologiae Teacher and On the Immortality of the Soul, trans. George G. Leckie (New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1958), 46. 2 vielmehr dar?ber, "Aber vielleicht die heutige Christenheit erschrickt nach urchrist ihrer Theologie als Offenbarung da? all das, was die Wortf?hrer von einem Philosophen Verst?ndnis lichen und reformatorischen ausgeben, also exakt und profan hergestellt ohne Mythologisierung, wird"; Gerhardt Problem der Existenz "Zum Kuhlmann, (Frage an R. Bult theologischen 10, no. 1 (1929): 51n. Unless f?r Theologie und Kirche mann)," Zeitschrift are my own. a translation is indicated all translations 3 49 and n. 1. This purging "Zum theologischen Problem," Kuhlmann, or "profane rendering" Kuhlmann argues, effectively? (Profanisierung), even if inadvertently?exposes error" of confusing existential "Kierkegaard's analysis with theology. Review Metaphysics of Metaphysics 47 (June 1994): 775-795. Copyright ? 1994 by the Review of 776 DANIEL O. DAHLSTROM of faith phenomena and to the revelation "projection" of (Entwurf) Dasein} The following in an opposite but moves paper direction. a path similar is concerned, paper along The to Kuhlmann's, not with Chris tian theologians' of Heidegger's but rather with appropriation analysis, of Christian method. In lectures appropriation theology's Heidegger's delivered at Marburg and in others given both in afterwards Freiburg, Heidegger specifically a to that is say, dicatory" method, philosophical or signalling" certain by "formally indicating before and immediately a "formally outlines in method that proceeds methodical Heidegger's ture of this method tion, how in his reflections and it is appropriated on to show, from what The phenomena. pose of the following paper is to reconstruct, principally lectures, the basis pur in light of the genesis and na that reconstruc of he understands by Christian theology. I Central dition is his to Heidegger's that charge criticism of the Western it has tra philosophical over" the world as repeatedly "passed a phenomenon as a collection in favor of nature, conceived of sub or things present.5 stances this Dominating prevailing conception, to Heidegger, as the is meta-physics, understood according loosely as they are in some to regard insofar tendency things as being only sense and thus potentially to human available and accessible present concerns. His contemporaries' for the integrity of the hu arguments manities and historical studies in the face of (Geisteswissenschaften) the demand of nature for the unity of a single method come drawn up short from (Naturwissenschaften), as do the myriad to refute attempts to the same ontological subscribe They come up short, because they tacitly the sciences in Heidegger's eyes. psychologism, assumption as 4 "Zum theologischen 50-1. Problem," 5Kuhlmann, Martin Heidegger, Sein und Zeit Nie (hereafter, "SZ") (T?bingen: zur Geschichte des Zeit meyer, 1972), 63-6; Martin Heidegger, Prolegomena begriffes (hereafter, "PGZ"), 2d ed., ed. Petra Jaeger, vol. 20 of the Gesam 1925 (Frankfurt am Main: tausgabe: Marburg lectures of the summer semester Vittorio Klostermann, The Gesamtausgabe is cited hereafter 1988), 231-51. as GA followed by the volume number and by the year of its publication in all volumes of the GA are published in Frankfurt parentheses; by Klostermann am Main. 111 HEIDEGGER'S METHOD else something whatever On that assumption, may opponents.6 for it "to be" is for it to be present it means said to be, what or, in sense in the broadest of the term, to be a scientific other words, object or over some of knowing standing against namely, capable something their be subject researching ein Gegenstand). (gegen?berstehend, neglect of the world Philosophical is thus inHeidegger's eyes the "to be" means, of what of the forgottenness which, despite expression with the mere of any is not to be confused the tradition, presence same. can of the Nor the re particular thing or being or collection trieval not "to be" means of what a science that concerns be the provenance some object itself with In a muscular latter is or can be sweep of which the philosophical present. of science, at least only insofar as the historical community narrative, has not witnessed the since the likes of Hegel or Nietzsche, Heidegger recounts the difficult infancy idea of a science of in the classical Greek of this Seinsvergessenheit in context of the medieval the sciences its adolescence dreamy being, of theology, ern scientific its maturation in the unabashed of the mod subjectivism its domination of nature") and, finally, project ("mastery as technology in the twentieth century. as well as historical to Heidegger's dimension is a logical There or as a more to regard The tendency basically critique. everything less objectifiable presence is facilitated, he insists, by the logical prej as the property of a certain class of solely in other words, is the The logical prejudice, as or judgments the distinctive assertions forms truth of construing or assertions. judgments udice proclivity of logos Heidegger to privilege of bearing truth (Wahrheitstr?ger).7 capable understands ways them, are communicable and specifying something cording matically to the the (specifying prejudice of a predicate logical out it by way of predication).8 Ac mentioned sentence as Assertions, of pointing above, designating "true" a is paradig judgment or 6 Martin Heidegger, Logik: Die Frage nach der Wahrheit "Lo (hereafter, semester lectures of the winter 1925/26, gik"), ed. Walter Biemel, Marburg GA 21 (1976), 92. 7 existen aspects of Heidegger's Certainly one of the most controversial as is his appeal to a private logos, namely, the call of conscience tial analysis or authentic the truth. the privileged of This of aspect logos Heidegger's can for deception and of public discourse's proclivities analysis of conscience and "the beautiful be fruitfully compared with Hegel's account of conscience soul's" regard for language; see G. W. F. Hegel, Ph?nomenologie des Geistes, ed. Hans-Friedrich Wessels and Heinrich Clairmont (Hamburg: Felix Meiner, 1988), 428-42. 8SZ, 154-8; Logik, 133-4. DANIEL O. DAHLSTROM 778 and assertion, is legitimately some thing or object predicated is or is believed of such a sentence to be present if only in precisely the or assertion indicates and specifies. that the respective way judgment to point out something that purport in labels assertions Heidegger or "theoretical" sofar as it is present Such "thematic" assertions.9 are central assertions its objects. or theology, tigates matics cal or practical. Of the many physics itself or psychology, entertains or whether the fundamental a science? be mathe it be ontology use it not make undertaken of thematic theoreti be chal are means these self in Being and or theoretical to indicate, and communicate what specify, as the case of Daseint in the paradigmatic Insofar is presumed, is not that meaning of "to be" assertions assertions in order Does inves and the science on which Heidegger's critique might grounds and most trenchant the most obvious perhaps lenged, Is not referential. Time to the way that a science whether It does not matter "to be" truth of thereby suc that does Or, systematically objectified? Heidegger an of in that and ceed interplay presencing absencing demonstrating means it for constitutes what the respectively humans, fundamentally to the extent and even things ready-to-hand world, of the committed to the presence method Heidegger's from any other? In the world, investigating is the demonstration not should Why, indeed, interplay?10 means what be different "to be" was by no means lost on Heidegger. challenge summer semester his charge that the of 1925, after repeating over the of the tradition has phenomena passed philosophical he ponders: This Western of "to be," self-referential in a positive way? to be determined Yet how, then, is the world structure to the of the world, be said about is something supposed How given 9 three levels or (p. 156n.) Heidegger distinguishes SZ, 158; in Logik to which a theoretical about some assertion modes of assertions according an constitutes "extreme." thing present-at-hand 10 to articulate a clearing (Lichtung) attempts Subsequently, Heidegger that is neither present nor absent, and comes into its own (ereignet sich) in in to the presence/absence a way irreducible and manifestness/hiddenness "Was hei?t denken?" and Martin terplays; see, for example, Martin Heidegger, "Aletheia 16)," in Vortr?ge und Aufs?tze (Heraklit, Fragment Heidegger, Zur 136-7, 264, 268; Martin Heidegger, Neske, 1954), 128-9, (Pfullingen: Sache des Denkens 1976), 20-5, 72-4; Martin Heideg (T?bingen: Niemeyer, 1971), 97. For a useful re ger, Was hei?t Denkend (T?bingen: Niemeyer, sume of these efforts see Thomas Pr?fer, "Glosses on Heidegger's Architec in Philosophy in Thomas Pr?fer, Recapitulations: tonic Word-Play," Essays of America Press, 1993), 107-9. D. C: The Catholic University (Washington, 779 HEIDEGGER'S METHOD that above all, from the outset, extreme objectification?11 we shun every theory and precisely this These queries of 1925 are not the first or the last time that Heidegger entertained account, tainly the self-referential does not Heidegger does have a method.12 and methodology 1919 and between to his method. challenge a methodology, have exactly between Lying somewhere are his method 1930, in the to this challenge to respond by or way of acter of his method semester In the summer several course invoking "methodical By his own but he cer a full-blown reflections"13 of which he repeatedly attempts the "formally char indicative" conceiving things.14 he acknowledges of 1930, for example, to words, is committed it is exposed That mis its essential content." of that, as soon as philosophizing to an "essential misinterpretation the view is precisely interpretation been degger has articulated, sets for himself to be taken the goal as it has that everything, insofar for something Hei present-at-hand. to of "being able, at least relatively, also observes: "Also f?r die Philosophie handelt 11PGZ, 251. Heidegger es sich gerade um radikalste Erhellung?philosophisches kategorial-untheo Martin Heidegger, retisches Aufbrechen"; Interpretati Ph?nomenologische onen zu Aristoteles, in die ph?nomenologische Einf?hrung Forschung (here and K?te Br?ckwer-Oltmanns, after, "P/?"), ed. Walter Br?cker Early Frei lectures of the winter semester 1921/22, GA 61 (1985), 198. burg 12 der Faktizit?t), Martin Heidegger, ed. K?te (Hermeneutik Ontologie Br?cker-Oltmanns, Early Freiburg lectures of the summer semester 1923, GA 63 (1988), 79. 13 SZ, 27-8, 310-16; PIA, 157. und Theolo 19-20, 61-2; Martin Heidegger, UPIA, "Ph?nomenologie 2d ed. (Frankfurt am Main: Vittorio Wegmarken, gie," in Martin Heidegger, use of formale has been Klostermann, 1983), 65-6. Anzeige Heidegger's discussed and van Dijk; see Otto P?ggeler, "Hei by P?ggeler, Oudemanns, in Martin und Innenlogische Heidegger: deggers Untersuchungen," W. Kohler, W. Kuhlmann, ed. R. Blasche, and P. Rohs Au?enansichten, C. W. Oudemans, 1989), 75-100; Theodore (Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp, Studies 6 (1990): 85-105; Heidegger "Heideggers 'logische Untersuchungen'," R. J. A. van Dyk, "Grundbegriffe der Metaphysik: Zur formalanzeigenden Struktur der philosophischen bei 7 Studies Begriffe Heidegger," Heidegger Gadamer refers to Heidegger's earlier, frequent use of the (1991): 89-109. see Hans-Georg notion of a "formale Anzeige"; "Die religi?se Di Gadamer, in Hans-Georg mension" Gadamer, Heideggers Wege (1981), (T?bingen: J. C. B. Mohr, 1983), 148. Gadamer also addresses the general issue of Hei language in his "Heidegger und die Sprache der Me degger's nonobjectifying III (T?bingen: J. C. B. Gadamer, Kleinere taphysik," in Hans-Georg Schriften There is also extensive discussion of the notion of a Mohr, 1972), 212-30. in Theodore "formale Anzeige" Kisiel, The Genesis of Heidegger's Being and Time (Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1993); re grettably, a copy of Kisiel's dense and helpful study first came into my hands of the present article. after completion DANIEL O. DAHLSTROM 780 elude" sary that misinterpretation; to reflect on the general they are all formally At the beginning plication"; fundamental among "a specific in the formal sense of observational method clear of pointing all that he regards the "formal to some time tion that would foreclose pursuit and connections to ex declines his use essay, indication" of as a its preliminary fixing at the same it, while way phenomenon, manner of unpacking and the corresponding "uncritical into some any lapse" deflecting sense of Jaspers's refers to a "formal in Heidegger ex of of the method step phenomenological . . he maintains, "a methodical. indication, concepts philosophical is to be seen."16 Though Heidegger in the context further of the Jaspers makes r?visable "it is neces end," he observes, of philosophical that concepts, or signalling [formal indicating anzeigend].'915 on the in his critical of the same period, remarks as concepts the notion plain the notion character and preconceptions der Weltanschauungen, problematic Psychologie dication" "to this of "a genuine specific of sense" concep the phe nomenon.17 understands Heidegger elaborated thereafter shortly What sively by a "formal in the winter indication" semester is exten of 1921/22.18 15 Die Grundbegriffe der Metaphysik Martin Heidegger, (hereafter, lectures of the winter Freiburg "GM"), ed. Friedrich Wilhelm von Herrmann, use of the ex semester One customary 1929/30, GA 29/30 (1983), 422, 430. some sort of reference is to characterize that provides "indication" pression and inference. the starting point for further examination Along these lines, a use of "Anzeige" there is a specific use of the term in medicine paralleling as to the treatment of or direction "A suggestion (Oxford English Dictionary a disease, to this which derived from the symptoms observed"), according the first use of the term in English. is apparently Nevertheless, dictionary in no way has the same rich array of uses as does "Anzeige." "indication" to "Anzeige" are captured by the term Some of the connotations attaching as it is translated here sometimes "signal," taken in a broad sense; hence, an "Anzeige" may as "signal." More specifically, sometimes "indication," an announcement a notice served or a warning, (for example, of a designate a public or a death), an advertisement the "personals"), (including wedding or a a of stock of declaration bankruptcy, typically (for example, offering or a prospectus. in a newspaper), At various times Heidegger appearing or more accents in his use to one of "formale of these appeals Anzeige." 16 first refers to a "formally indicat 9-11, 29. Heidegger's Wegmarken, in regard to fixing the sense Bedeutung) (formed anzeigende ing meaning" of the term "method"; he then speaks of the object of the inquiry "fixed in a Cf. also PIA, 141. formal indication as existence." 11 11. Wegmarken, 18 sus the most These early Freiburg lectures (PIA) contain perhaps as far as his philosophical tained self-reflexive deliberations by Heidegger, is concerned. method reading for anyone trying to un They are obligatory HEIDEGGER'S METHOD These lectures make 781 clear what had in mind when he re Heidegger as "a specific ferred in the Jaspers indication essay to the formal step of the method of phenomenological and "a methodical explication" . . . fundamental sense of all philosophical That "funda concepts." as mental of philosophical sense" insofar concepts they are "formal is based indications" upon ject of an interpretation must the phenomenological be so articulated that insight that the ob the determination of the object (in what sense it is) must emerge from the manner one which originally "has" originally becomes accessible (wie The "object" of philosophy g?nglich wird).19 means" in the case nothing unthematic but a way itself is "what 'to be' of such "having"; in other words, philosophizing of comporting to an original, oneself unreflected an attempt to "have" comportment, (unabgehobenen) the "understand" latter in is to say, the manner in which it der Gegenstand zu urspr?nglich it, that is or or authentically.20 such locutions as "having" "com (haben), or em to in order porting" (verhalten), "understanding" (verstehen) that that original, unthematic is for phasize "having" or "comporting" some sort the most not of meditative act of part deliberate, knowing chooses Heidegger Instead something. those locutions practical, any way?theoretical, signify a human and so on?in which playful, devotional, tender, to something, relate a natural whether might himself, another, an an a a mathematical scientific object, artifact, artwork, formula, a dream, and so on. The task of philosophy is to deter hypothesis, being mine what determination and precise lates to each in an "to be" means is possible fundamental of them important only way case of any of (where latter and this or the "retrieving" re exists and being this existing are and relating by understanding a human in which respectively the sense cludes, philosophy's and radical," indeed, ing it is what in the con logically Thus, Heidegger equivalent). of relating to its object is "utterly original way such "that even and precisely the grasp through it grasps and grasps what it is."21 Since philosophy's derstand Heidegger's method during the first decade of his professional career and his attempts at that time to answer the self-referential posed challenges tradition. by his 19own critique of the Western philosophical 27. 20PIA, 18-19, 20, 23; SZ, Later Heidegger that original "having" or "comportment" associates with what Aristotle inMetaphysics as thigein and nous, con 9.10 describes strued as the prepropositional having in which what cannot be differentiated and thus is not subject to predication discloses itself (alMhein); (asyntheta) see Logik, 179-90. 21 PIA, 60-1; cf. pp. 41-2, 51, 53-4. 782 DANIEL O. DAHLSTROM "to be" means is what "object" it cannot portment, from the outside. (or more exactly, "have" (understand, Instead philosophy that original, reenact) context of retrieve) must itself com original as it were its object that carry unthematic out "having," or enact so as to it explicitly.22 appropriate for this reason Precisely as formal indications concepts some toward tively in the original characterizes Heidegger philosophical or signals, respec concepts pointing task to comportment, yet as "a concrete be completed or performed by [philosophizing] alone" (eine eigene konkrete VoUzugsaufgabe).23 What is thereby indicated is not given "in any and actual A philo only "in principle." sense and hence in a certain is accordingly concept sophical "empty" it "formal"?"formal" because in the direction of some purely points complete thing that must be performed by the philosopher, perfected the philosophical but sense" or gone through and even fulfilled or a direction, moreover, or "theme" itself.24 Thus, "object" the depiction of some fact (Sachverhalt), but of a way of approaching what "to be" means.25 not that springs from Sein und Zeit is rather an indication II In Heidegger's indication" First, two it points any preemptive use and characterization of the notion of a "formal functions be delineated. may principal, overlapping to a phenomenon in such a way that it eryoins against or external of it. characterization The formal indication prevents any drifting off into blindly dogmatic fixations of the categorial meaning for the intrinsic determinacies of a kind of object, while what 'to be' means in its case has not been dis in other words, that are independent and detached cussed; fixations, 22 see also note 1 above. 23 Ibid., 60-1, 80, 169-71; PIA, 34, 60-1; the German ear may well hear the notion of a prospect in this use of the "Anzeige"; see note 15 above. In describing the philosoph ical act and, as discussed relies heavily below, the act of believing, Heidegger on the terms "vollziehen" and "Vollzug." As in the case of "Anzeige" it is to note connotations that are not conveyed important by a single term in In "Vollziehen" there is a sense of executing, English. carrying out, and but also a sense of accomplishing, and fulfilling. performing perfecting, 24 58. 25PIA, 32-4, 51, in Sein repeatedly Heidegger employs the notion of a formal indication see SZ, 52-3, 114, 116 und Zeit, without, any further explanation; however, see Oudemanns, 17, 179, 231, 313-15; "Heideggers 'logische Untersuchun gen'," 85. 783 HEIDEGGER'S METHOD the preconception, from the presupposition, of the interpretation.26 to this function refers Heidegger tive" (hinweisend-prohibitive) garded as cept as a specific instance a formal indication of a philosophical concept as the explicitly function.27 of this is said [Korrektion, that is,Mitleitung] the context, "referring-prohibi be re might (In what the philosophical con a corrective guide function, to provide to theology.28) as a formal and the time The second function indication is to reverse the a reversal is entertained, whatever of objectifying that customary who transforms the individual this sec philosophizes. Accordingly, to as the "reversing-transforming" is referred ond function function.29 way The first of these functions illuminates why Heidegger utilizes the two terms "indicating" and "formal." The indicating as a pointing is preliminary (Ansatz); it is binding for (anzeigend als hinweisend) the investigation, giving it direction and principles, but as preliminary is not itself meant object of the phasize that cation, tomary 26 to specify investigation.30 the philosophical is not predetermined?or or arbitrary ways.31 or "authentic" sense in any adequate the The term "formal" to em is employed as it is a formal insofar indi concept, at Thus least Heidegger not in any number lays great weight of cus on the von In in eigenst?ndige, "Die formale Anzeige verwehrt jede Abdrift Interpretationszusam Interpretationsvorgriff, terpretationsvoraussetzung, und Interpretationszeit blind dogmatische Fixationen des menhang abgel?ste, un Sinnes zu Ansichbestimmtheiten einer auf ihren Seinssinn kategorialen 142. diskutierten PIA, Gegenst?ndlichkeit"; 27 This function of the philosophical PIA, 34, 141-2. concept as a "for mal indication" comprises the Husserlian way of appropriating Heidegger's For Heidegger's account of the transcendental and eidetic reduc epoch?. tions elaborated by Husserl see PGZ, 135-39. An excellent discussion of the Husserlian Husserlian Medita epoch? is to be found in Robert Sokolowski, tions: How Words Present Things (Evanston: Northwestern University Press, 1974), 28172-81. igt das formal anzeigende Korrektiv des on "Philosophie ontologische zwar und vorchristlichen des Gehaltes tischen, theologischen Grundbegriffe"; 65. Wegmarken, 29 rpjie "reversal" function amplifies and clarifies the "prohibitive" func tion by indicating that the bracketing involved "ist nicht (Ausschaltung) getan mit einem einmaligen methodischen Diktat, sondern sie ist der mit dem Voll zug des Philosophierens st?ndig gleichzeitliche Kampf der philosophischen faktischen ihre faktische 153. Interpretation gegen eigene Ruinanz"; PIA, While the first function, as an appropriation of the Husserlian epoch?, may be regarded as phenomenological, the second is theological in a function sense that w?l be made clearer below. 30 32. 31PIA, "F?r den Anzeige- und Verweisungscharakter besagt die Bestimmung DANIEL O. DAHLSTROM 784 fact the that he concepts employs are neither nor "formally logical" say, (or, one might but "formally "for indicating" in Formal his not at formal all view, really logic is, signalling"). a it springs from that has already been deter region of objects manner of comprehension?"assembling and a corresponding "formally mally since mined thematic," so as to put a "formally Similarly, (ordnendes Sammeln)32 use of "neighboring" makes schemata and interpretation access the original to the instead of itself retrieving notions, or what is indicated is not "formally By contrast, signalled" thematic" "settled" objects.33 as given in order" contrast, comparison, is understandable dicated" or carries out some activity characterized concepts first this function. exemplify manner "I," while of being that at the same of understandable what insofar only himself. Several tions" and already complete and classification; something through is "formally in instead, as the philosopher performs as "formal by Heidegger The "am" in "I am" points indica to the is involved, attention away from the deflecting time insuring that it not be taken as an instance ex The concept of "death" refers to the most is."34 "something treme possibility in terms at while the same himself, of which a human being can understand a conception of thereby precluding as something of the her The "as-structure" death present-at-hand.35 or as in meneutical is involved understanding taking using something such and such, for example, time using something as a chair or using a 'leer' bedeutet: und doch ent 'formal' etwas Entscheidendes! Gegenstand sondern gerade 'leer' und Rich Nicht beliebig und ohne Ansatz, scheidend! 33. PIA, bindend"; tung bestimmend, anzeigend, 32 PIA, 20, 162-4, 178. Even the principle of noncontradiction, Heideg in this connection, is conditioned contends by a "specific logic of order ger see pp. 163-4. ing"; 33 174. 34PIA, 80, SZ, 116. The 10-11, 29-30; PIA, 172-4; see, however, Wegmarken, in PIA is extensive: and the "formally indicative" list of "formal indications" of philosophy" "the definition (pp. 20, 32, 43, 59-60, 63, 66, 72); "determina and "con tions" and "observations," specifically "comportment" regarding of philosophizing" tent" (pp. 52-3, 55); "the determinations (pp. 57, 183); "to be" (p. 61), "caring" (pp. 89-90, 98); "the object of philosophy," namely, what of starting for an "exis in life, facticity "to be" means (p. 113); the method of the tenziellen Interpretation" (p. 134); the characterization kategorialen nature of the act of caring (p. 137); the characteristics of "ruin kairological and the "counter-movement," ation" (Ruinanz) namely, philosophy (pp. 140 1,183); "nothing" (p. 145); the way of illuminating the sense of a philosophical of the theme (Gegen "life" and the definition (pp. 158-9); presupposition "I am" and the "am I?" (pp. of question philosophy (p. 171), st?ndlichkeit) 174-5).35 GM, 425-9; cf. SZ, 240. HEIDEGGER'S METHOD as chair not to sit on something construes Heidegger to emphasize rashly that 785 this or to stand on, and so on. something as a formal "as-structure" indication in order this relation must to the derivative assimilated be grasped relation on its own of two terms, things and presum ably present together and capable of being so indicated and specified (predicated) in a theoretical judgment.36 These it evident, if it is not so already, make that Hei on the formality of philosophical is some concepts are not understood concepts Philosophical clearly examples emphasis degger's what misleading. by him as being so devoid errant determinations presumptive concept's cipled" themes of content to preclude they are unable of their meaning. A philosophical that is, as he puts it, a "binding" referring (Hinweis) as his remarks one.37 Moreover, about formal logic as formal reveal, philosophical concepts of objects presupposed by indications and "prin and formal exclude at concepts specific sciences?insofar, as the means into what case in "to be" the of these objects least, inquiry access the original to them) has been put off or ignored. (and, thereby, The methodological governed losophy. to the second (the dence we ascribed by Heidegger as formal indications concepts his by specific understanding This characteristic is perhaps sophical strives functions function of the formal for an understanding of "to be"), significance that words speak (with about. talking even more concepts what they point evident in regard indication. Because philosophy of something that is highly questionable it stands in conflict with the easy confi and that, when customary usage are reliable or ourselves), we generally know what we are as "philo that Heidegger understands concepts are not, at least for the most "formal indications" in their others The sophical" and, hence, or technical part, neologisms concepts. derived from the way of life that informs because of this origin, however, Precisely "formal to philo are thus, as is to be expected, of the aim and content of phi as a warning at all common.38 indications" to is not they are themselves use of language. the normal Instead such Heidegger designates access that authentic to In fact, that access runs 36 424-5. 37GM, 168-9. PIA, 19-25, 56-61, 38 See note 15 above. The formalization of everyday expressions cre a certain distance to them, allowing us to ates, as Oudemans aptly observes, look at them. "In diesem Mitgehen mit der Durchschnittlichkeit des Allt?g lichen und mit der ?berlieferten versucht Heidegger durch For Ontologie der Begriffe zu lassen"; Oude eine gewisse Distanz entstehen malisierung 99. manns, "Heideggers 'logische Untersuchungen'," 786 DANIEL O. DAHLSTROM to the customary into the usual ways of con (Sturz) "plunge" the talk is less than explicit and the interpre sidering things, where tation remains The and factual necessity very "possibility implicit.39 counter ... as the method one must the formal indication from which as in he this he would later in it Sein und Zeit, put begin" "plunge" or, in the "fallenness" of human to in the propensity existence, namely, some to the of In other the yield anonymity public words, opinion.40 is required to invert the normal and way of philosopher perspective of questions, posing erally toward the gen away from particular namely, beings and unexamined horizon within which they are re unspoken encountered spectively and the manner of being that they do. as "fife" and "existence" direct attention have indications such Thus, formal to a specific but unthematized and implicit meaning of "to be," a mean a of which, because it is unthematized, ing the understanding requires certain reversal.41 In these into lectures how elaborates the "plunge" early Heidegger is a "movement" characteristic of the way we in fact we are on care of ourselves, live: bent but on the taking the world typically world's is to say, in terms of what in the eyes that means a we no As result, ourselves, longer are familiar with even when on confronted with the other ourselves.42 Philosophy, counter is "a movement to this plunge into the world" hand, running movement This atten directs (eine gegenruinante Bewegtheit)}3 terms, of the world. tion, to be sure, that at what it means "to be" within the concrete situ 39 For Heidegger's definition of this "plunge" "formally-indicating" see PIA, 131, 136-7, 139-40, 143-55. (Sturz)40 or ruination (Ruinanz) unaus Leben erhellt, in irgendwelcher "Sofern alles im faktischen dr?cklicher Rede steht, in unabgehobener faktischer ruinanter Interpretation . .der formalen und faktische Notwendigkeit. 'ist', liegt darin die M?glichkeit . . ."; PIA, als Ansatzmethode 134. mentions four Anzeige Heidegger in PIA, 140-1. characters of ruination "formally-indicative [Ruinanz]" 41 88. 42GM, 430; PIA, 19-20, 80, here is the content PIA, 136; cf. pp. 130-2,142. Plainly foreshadowed of the structural division of inauthenticity and authenticity (or, perhaps bet so central to the argu ter, not being and being my own self: Eigentlichkeit) ment and rhetoric of Sein und Zeit. In this connection Oudemans identifies a noteworthy shift in Heidegger's In the early Freiburg years, he thinking. as the paradoxical is depicted movement both within contends, philosophy and counter to the total movement of Ruinanz, only by pushing succeeding as and by "emptiness" and "nothingness." the latter to its limits, characterized in SZ Heidegger ascribes a distinct By contrast, topos to authenticity and, refers to a prevailing indifference toward in perhaps more fundamentally, as well as authenticity; authenticity Oudemanns, "Heideggers 'logische Un 101-4. 91-3, tersuchungen'," 43 PIA, 153. 787 HEIDEGGER'S METHOD can make this meaning clear, Philosophy "the most fundamentally appropriate however, only by articulating " sense des Seinssinns) and of what it means 'to be' (das Ureigene to life.44 To and its "binding character" that meaning by bringing ations out carry this task life. "Philosophy in each philosophy from its downfall is itself ing, is, in Heidegger's is a fundamental re-trieves authentically [Abfall], a taking back which, also noted, is initially unthematic one's comportment equivalently, what and, it in the winter puts the basis semester of a transformation of 1929/30, of human At the end of Heidegger's he employs cifically sertions. of an "indication" the notion phenomenological, While the worldly One in oneself and world. itmust can As Hei be understood itself only in and Dasein."46 lectures of the 1925/26 winter semester categorial" assertions at-hand, phenomenological, as something present-at-hand, in order assertions to distinguish "spe as from "worldly" present point out something assertions refer to Dasein, not categorial the understanding of but as something or on a the of the reversal thinker.47 part transposition requires concedes that, insofar as the "phenomenologi again Heidegger which Once cal, search a trans entails philosophizing. without putting that "what philosophy deals with generally discloses on it back life, taking as a radical life."45 thematize degger the philosophical of living itself, such that case reversal question to live eyes, manner as already (Umstellung), individual of the (Verwandlung) This formation not life. of everyday categorial worldly assertion" (apophantic) present-at-hand."48 it shares is articulated, and thereby means assertion However, the structure "something of a at first he adds: even if it is made A worldly assertion about something present-at-hand, in the context of a mere naming, can directly mean what has been said, while an assertion about Dasein each assertion about and furthermore assertion in order requires, being, each [phenomenological] categorial a reversal to be understood, the reversal of the understanding, in the direction of what has been indicated, which is never some essentially thing present-at-hand.49 44 168-9. 45PIA, cf. p. 88. PIA, 80; 46 423. GM, 47 In order to avoid possible it should be noted that this use confusion, of "specifically phenomenological, is replaced in Sein und Zeit by categorial" the use of "existential" and contrasted with the use of "categorial." Heideg in the winter semester of 1925/26. ger is48 plainly groping for terminology 410. 49Logik, "Eine weltliche auch wenn ?ber Vorhandenes, sie in einem Aussage DANIEL O. DAHLSTROM 788 The uphill task that Heidegger be to kick able away the very concepts, sertions, "objectifying" make his climb. sets for himself ladder and He must is obvious. or ("worldly" so on) on which as "theoretical" he to is forced own perspective, this ladder may be character Heidegger's as a "scientific in it this regard and is that Heidegger's method," of a "formal indication" and a "formally indicative method" conception From ized takes on added significance. Throughout the decade of the 1920s the sort of investigation cautiously appropri distinguished Heidegger own ate to specific from his sciences inves ("ontic") ("ontological") of "to be." He did not eschew the term into the meanings tigations in characterizing his own project, however. in the summer semester scientific philosophy" "science" to "our following declares as the science, philosophy of being, the latter indeed, characterizing In the final Marburg lectures "objectification [sic] of being."51 to speak of a "philosophical later he continues science."52 the summer even the as the a year referring 1925, Hei of lectures the of the philosophizing logic, the topic as "the science of truth."50 he semester, "Phenomenology," of being" and at the end of in Sein und Zeit, "is the science characterizes degger After semester "absolute Towards 1927 he describes of science" the close of those even more in his and final Marburg lectures, however, his first lectures subsequent stay) at (of is unmistakeably altered of philosophy emphatically the characterization Freiburg, he now urges, is "more original" in this respect. Philosophy, to characterize and degrading science and it is both deceitful ophy as a science.53 than any philos eine Nennen vollzogen ist, kann direkt das Gesagte meinen, w?hrend und weiterhin ?ber ?ber Dasein Sein, jede kategoriale jede Aussage Aussage zu ihrem Verst?ndnis der Umstellung des Verstehens be notwendig Aussage nie Vorhandenes auf das Indizierte selbst, das wesenhaft darf, der Umstellung ist"; Logik, 410 n. 1. 2-3, 184, 190; Logik, 10-11. 50PGZ, 51 466. It is difficult to rec 48; GP, 15-17, 459-60, SZ, 37; Wegmarken, von Sein") with Oudemans's oncile this last quotation ("Vergegenst?ndlichung to foundation had no illusions about giving a scientific claim that Heidegger as a was of his science and that characterization philosophy philosophy see Oudemans, "Hei chiefly a rhetorical means of warding off Schw?rmerei; 90. deggers52 'logische Untersuchungen'," der Logik im Aus Martin Heidegger, Metaphysische Anfangsgr?nde lectures of the summer semester ed. Klaus Held, Marburg gang von Leibniz, blo?en GA 26 (1978), 11, 70. 1928,53 Ibid., 287; GM, 2-3, 22-4, 30; see also the previous note. Heidegger's are character of his early philosophy views about the scientific changing Last Review Meta traced in Daniel O. Dahlstrom, Word," of "Heidegger's 41, no. 3 (March 1988): 593-6. physics HEIDEGGER'S METHOD 789 of a scientific of philosophy is self rejection understanding to in be but view of meth the sure, critical, hardly surprising especially considerations his demand that philosophical odological prompting as be "formal indications." The of concepts very purpose regarded This that demand is to avoid or scientific theoretical and of objectification of things. thematization are "objectification" sort the synonymous characteristic in other or, of a If, indeed, "science" words, if science can thematize its subject matter only by objectifying the latter, that is its subject matter only insofar as it can be consid then given Heidegger's of philos understanding a to distance for thematization itself philosophical to say, by regarding ered present-at-hand, ophy, it is necessary from science. For about the theme of the present this development character indicative" of the same the end is, Heidegger's (that of a "scientific philosophy") of philosophical in which lectures as to regard philosophy some of proclamation worldview, cepts least as understood to a relative is particularly from departure significant the notion is the fact that the appeal to the "formally it. Toward survives concepts he declares that it is as embar as science rassing be what paper, he "formal insists it is to regard it as the con that philosophical indications" degree"?the in order misunderstanding that to avoid?"at all concepts are objectifying. What is difficult stresses Heidegger about that philosophical they be regarded be traced to philosophizing in-the-world that at the same Being-in-the-world in a fourfold being.54 unthematically itself. time brings way, the reason concepts?and as formal indications?can Philosophizing aims about is a way of being at determining this way of what it is (sich vollzieht) as an emotional state (Be namely, a or projecting, sort an ab of specific understanding findlichkeit),55 or less public into a more and a way of talking. In sorption domain, each of these mutually dis ways complementary being-in-the-world or implicitly, that temporality is its most the task of is to Therefore, philosophizing "is always there" upon what unthematically already (immer a da ist). is kind of Philosophizing (Nach-voU "re-iterating" closes, again basic horizon reflect schon ziehen), unthematically or meaning. repeating in an explicit fashion the path (iter, Weg) that we 54 13. 55GM, The difficulty of translating this term is aptly described in Hubert L. on A Dreyfus, Being-in-the-World: Commentary Heidegger's Being and Time (Cambridge: MIT Press, 1992), 168-9. DANIEL O. DAHLSTROM 790 are constantly following (iterare, vollziehen), it means what from as "care," "life," . . . "a, concrete an) such concepts (zeigen alone" "to be" (eine to what eigene konkrete a well retrieving (Wiederholen) of Philosophical forgottenness. indicate "as," "world," and "existence" task to be carried out by philosophy in other words, they Vollzugsaufgabe); is always there but must be ex unthematically already can occur its "retrieval" which and "reiteration" only through pressed, senses the described above). (in on this retrieving, as Hei "the methodical Reflection reflection" point calls degger it, is itself mandatory. not be a kind of afterthought the That is to say, (Nachgetragenes), the method may but rather must be "as an essential part of the exe In other words, the definition of a "formal and hence indication."57 developed interpretation through cution of the interpretation itself."56 philosophy is itself philosophical Ill is an obvious between characteriza similarity Heidegger's as and of philosophical the nature "formal indications" concepts as a score a in Much and of certain artistic script?in compositions. contrast to a sketch?something is expressed and formulated but in that what it is can only be realized such a way by being performed There tion insofar as the philosophi Indeed, interpreted, (rehearsed, staged).58 a statement is is not so much about what cal text, on this account, as it is a score or script to be performed, in a certain present-at-hand means sense Is it possible, of the question, concepts by philosophical as formal means Rather to thematize what "to be" without indications, objectifying cannot be to in the case of Dasein*? put legitimately Heidegger. the question has to be put to his readers.59 56 157; see also Martin Heidegger, SZ, 308, 310-16, 391; PIA, 80, 133-4, 4th ed. (Frankfurt am Main: Vittorio und das Problem der Metaphysik, Klostermann, 1973), 232. 57 elaborates "die for PIA, 19-20, 32-4, 43; on these pages Heidegger Definition der Philosophie." malanzeigende 58 of perform "In the drama, as inmusic, the work is a compliance-class to a Theory of of Art: An Approach ances"; Nelson Goodman, Languages Hackett, 1976), 210. Symbols 59 (Indianapolis: This character of Heidegger's thinking figures in Rorty's rejection of recourse of maintaining to avoid Heidegger's Okrent's admonition dangerous about the truth of what "to be" means are not really assertions that assertions in such recourse; at all. Rorty finds nothing reproachable if pragmatism does Kant 791 HEIDEGGER'S METHOD In later close of artistic proximity ical thinking. example The himself Heidegger a to nonobjectifying, language composing he observes, Thinking, of composing."60 at Drew gathered neighborhood of theologians Heidegger on reflections proceeds in a 1964 Similarly, "Poetic composition suggests, of an excellent, nonobjectifying fact that this last remark was theologians is not philosophical concepts to the nature insignificant. as formal similarity to what he understands of artistic philosoph its path "in the letter to a group down University the pursues in Madison, New can [Dichtung] serve Jersey, as an and speaking."61 thinking a made in letter addressed to If Heidegger's of characterization a indications possesses significant even it has closer ties composition, as the theological formation and development The relation of Christian theology to its faith and of Christian belief. on Heidegger's own understanding to existence, that of philosophizing are profoundly of theology and philosophizing, homologous. The deep between belief and exis affinity begins with parallels as "a manner belief understands of existing" that is Heidegger more from and by what is "timed") becomes literally, developed (or, in it and with what is believed: the revealed crucified God it, namely, . . . . . aus dem, was in und mit dieser Existenzweise ( gezeitigt. .... aus der If dem offenbar wird, Geglaubten gekreuzigte Gott).62 tence. is replaced with "existence," with "believed" "temporality," this account of belief mirrors closely "revealed" "belief" then the tom of the analysis of Dasein the revelation Moreover, oughly historical originally happen "participants" corresponding by historicity" but above the structure in Sein und in which (geschichtlich), happened, (immer noch with "disclosed," clear just it becomes that and how lies at the bot Zeit. the Christian believes is thor not only in the sense that it in fact all in the sense that it continues to The revelation thus makes believers geschieht). in the happening that revelation In a is.63 (Geschehen) it means for Dasein "to be" is "constituted way what (durch Geschichtlichkeit konstituiert), not so much in like to see it "take have anything to say about such a truth, then he would " on Heidegger the form of a proposal. See Richard Rorty, Essays and Others Press, 1991), 38n.; and Mark Okrent, Hei (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988), 292. degger's (Ithaca: Cornell University 60 Pragmatism an den, der in derselben "Darum ist es gut, an den Nachbarn, N?he zu denken"; Martin Heidegger, zur Sprache, 6th ed. (Pful wohnt, Unterwegs nonetheless insists lingen: Neske, 1979), 173. See also pp. 195-6. Heidegger on the difference between and thinking (Denken). composing (Dichten) 61 78. 62Wegmarken, 52. Wegmarken, 63 53. Wegmarken, 792 DANIEL O. DAHLSTROM the sense has the that Dasein structure has a history the ecstatic-temporal of ground" of which formation of revelation.65 losophizing completes and perfects situation, Belief is not an as something over against standing is rather part of the development Theology in the sense that it participates all the more of belief in order happening, of theology in the happening explicitly as existing, it the "hidden that, is the finitude of temporality.64 "object" (Gegenstand) it (ihr gegen?berstehend). and as in the sense to appropriate Likewise, the act itself (sich vollzieht) and develop bring the specific theme of the philosophizing that of phi in a historical situation so as "to in its binding character to life."66 that itself God" In belief, is placed before God and, the entire Dasein . . . becomes this existence struck revelation "the by in its forgottenness a reversal signifies That of God."67 phrase "being before placed of existence der Ex (ein Umgestelltwerden as a mode is a "rebirth of historically in of the Dasein that history factually believing, is to say, belief istenz). on existing, which begins in accordance the part the happening with with the meaning has been already The indeed, such to revealed posited."68 in that history to which, of revelation, a definite of revelation, uttermost end What here happens in belief, namely, "being placed before God" and the rebirth (Umgestelltwerden Wiedergeburt), sal and retrieval und in Heidegger's method that rever und which, (Umstellung Wiederholung) again parallel a finite future into the forefront of belief, move of the respectively become to the dynamics of Dasein.69 analysis With similarities In belief?as belief and existence, the structural between parallels are and between apparent. philosophy already theology in the sense of the happening existence the historical of these revelation?theology "historical uniquely as its goal. its origin as well and legitimated motivated science," has Hence by belief, it is a aim 64 161. 65SZ, 376, 382, 386; PIA, 54-5. 51, Wegmarken, 66 see also p. 62. 67PIA, 169; 53. Wegmarken, 68 Sinn des Glaubens "Der eigentliche existenzielle ist demnach: Glaube = nicht im Sinne einer momentanen Und zwar Wiedergeburt Wiedergeburt. als Modus des mit irgendeiner Qualit?t, sondern Wiedergeburt Ausstattung des faktischen Daseins in der Existierens gl?ubigen geschichtlichen der Offenbarung die mit dem Geschehen anhebt; in der Geschi Geschichte, ?u?erstes chte, der schon dem Sinne der Offenbarung gem?? ein bestimmtes 53. Ende gesetzt ist"; Wegmarken, 69SZ, 391-2. 793 HEIDEGGER'S METHOD of the state of belief.70 its part in abetting the development ing at doing In other words, is the of the conceptual self-interpretation theology of belief which historical "first unveils existence itself in belief and In a directly for belief."71 only fashion corresponding ex Heidegger plains how philosophy has its origin and its goal in factual life. Phi is thereby a kind of "historical losophy knowledge"; out "the temporality it carries of the authentic which from (again much its fall into both Thus, human existence tion, it back the world, bringing and theology philosophy and accordingly Because cations." like theology) philosophy employ such already existence or belief and of such of this become existence.72 as "formal indi as he or she authen like "the in any is the (in the case of stance toward it is always of the authenticity case; upon respectively urges between Heidegger connection of and a transforma or believes is dependent up "fallenness" or "rebirth" (Wiedergeburt). a transformation, the entire does 1929/30, thentic existence the insofar sure, "being-in-the-world," zu Gott), Verhalten takes place What "there." matters, however, trieval" (Wiederholung) basis to authentic To be theology). God" (das through ideally lifts Dasein concepts a reversal tically exists (in the case of philosophy) precisely, historicity" assume concepts signal can understand them only a person or, more a "re Only on the in the winter semester inauthentic and au conceivable. The concepts that break [this connection] open are only then capable of of properties and being understood when they are not taken as meanings of something but rather are taken as indi present-at-hand, furnishings cations or signals [Anzeigen] for this, that the process of understanding must first disentangle itself from the ordinary conceptions of the partic ular being and explicitly transform itself into the being-there [Da-sein] within it. Only on the basis not attending, what it means Just as anthropologists, of such simply to say a transformation to what that is a philosopher of capable are or how are but they used, things they are. do not understand theologians so Heidegger does not themselves understand as himself closet as an 70 55-7, 61. 71Wegmarken, 55. Wegmarken, 72 390-1. 73SZ, 384-5, dieser Begriffe meint und sagt GM, 428. Also, "Der Bedeutungsgehalt er bezieht, er gibt nur eine Anzeige, nicht direkt das, worauf einen Hinweis von da? der Verstehende diesem darauf, Begriffszusammenhang aufgefordert seiner selbst in das Dasein zu vollziehen"; GM, 430. ist, eine Verwandlung DANIEL O. DAHLSTROM 794 Yet existentialist.74 quately humans the texts on the What question. last few is the pages method indicative" or, more precisely, on a Christian as a directive is modeled of human understanding attending the theological considered "formally function degger's mational can no more be question to precisely what it means ontological can than "to be" from the without addressed ade for is evident fact that Hei its transfor theological existence. It is therefore hardly surprising when Heidegger in 1921 chastises him against the likes of Kierkegaard for measuring and Nietz no "I am no philosopher," have illusions "and insists, Heidegger at all comparable"; "I am a Christian rather of even doing anything a are of to be The remarks those still thinker, maturing theologian."75 L?with sche. but sure, they philosophy are made at a time when on department the method in lectures in a Heidegger, and subject matter of philoso phy, is hammering out his methodological tactic of taking philosoph as formal indications. ical concepts The aim of this paper has been to elaborate method, Heidegger's as he conceived it in the 1920s, and to demonstrate how the method in fundamental stands insists ways by theology. that philosophy this claim might that the ontic, Christian simply as a reminder a particular is (for example, God of what being to be confused with the ontological of question be taken question theological or revelation) is not what "to be" means. On the claim mann) analysis thetical size from what under is appropriated Heidegger this appropriation, To be sure, despite Heidegger On the one hand, is in principle "a-theistic."76 regard of authentic how to Christian Heidegger's the other some Kuhl (for example, the fact that obscuring Heidegger's existence is not neutral, but in fact anti hand, as a ruse, human theology.77 method In the same calls vein, still others empha for a transformation also on the part of the theologian, but without providing the possibility of a return to theology.78 74 n'est pas celle de 63; "La question qui me pr?ocuppe Wegmarken, et en tant que de l'homme; c'est celle de l'?tre dans son ensemble l'existence de 37e de la soci?t? Martin Bulletin philosophie, tel"; fran?aise Heidegger, no. in his "Brief ?ber also 5 193. See Humanismus," Weg ann?e, (1937), marken,75 329-30. in a private letter to L?with, cited by Gad The remarks are contained 142. "Die religi?se Dimension," amer; see Hans-Georg Gadamer, 76 in ihrer radikalen, sich auf sich selbst stellenden mu? "Philosophie a-theistisch sein"; PIA, 197; see also pp. 196, 199. prinzipiell Fraglichkeit 77 51. "Zum theologischen Kuhlmann, Problem," 78 96. Oudemans, 'logische Untersuchungen'," "Heideggers 795 HEIDEGGER'S METHOD of understanding another way is, however, Heidegger's of "a-letheia" that of Just as the meaning presupposes so Heidegger's in terms of method is only understandable of the ontic science, Chris that is to say, his understanding There "a-theism." hiddenness, his theism, in Sein und Zeit that at the bottom claims theology. Heidegger of Dasein of the existence there lies of the ontological interpretation If Christian of authentic "a specific, ontic existence."79 conception tian theology, as suggested on these source is a prominent of Hei pages, to suppose then there is ample reason method, philosophical degger's which ontic conception that that specific a not in strict while theological orating, it is an ontic sci Though theology. as Heidegger himself emphasizes, as in formally assertions signalling apart from Christian prehensible Christian ence, consists, theology not so much in making theoretical the revelation entails.80 formulating but rather ein and derstanding refrains from elab Heidegger is nevertheless incom sense, and the transformation of the believer in ontology what is present-at-hand, the presencing-and-absencing of Das fundamental So, too, Heidegger's about theoretical propositions in formally the authentic its understanding not consists, signalling transformation of Dasein, the thinker, its un entails. The Catholic University 79 The ontic grounding of the ontological SZ, 310. see SZ, 278; GP, 466. quently80 cited by Heidegger; Wegmarken, 56-8, 60-1. of America investigation is fre